< PreviousNEW OPENINGS 40 September 2023 timeoutdubai.com Marvel at the new Time Out Market Dubai mural The fresh new artwork by Dina Saadi is raising awareness for charity Womanity. Featuring city landscapes from India and Afghanistan, Dubai’s landmarks and natural elements reminiscent of the Amazon and Brazil, the artwork weaves a tapestry of cultural connections. The mural’s central theme revolves around freedom and fantasy. Check it out when you next dine at the happening foodie destination. O Time Out Market Dubai, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, timeoutdubai.com/timeout-market-dubai, womanity.org. Ride The Dubai Balloon Head for heights? The Dubai Balloon opened earlier this year, soaring above Atlantis, The Palm. Located at Poseidon’s Watchtower in Atlantis Aquaventure, the tethered balloon will take you up to 300m into the air, giving you views across the city. They also offer private rides if you’re thinking of popping the question from the air. O Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, thedubaiballoon.com. See the lights at AYA Instagram feed in the need of some new content? Or fancy an arty morning out with the kids? This immersive entertainment park inside Wafi City Mall is 12 zones, each telling a story through graphics, sounds and lights. Plus, if you’re planning on visiting as a family, kids go free until September 30. Best book in quick. O Wa City Mall. aya-universe.com. Shop at Chinatown If you’re yet to explore Chinatown at the Dubai Mall, make this winter your time to snap some Insta shots and slurp noodles. It opened in March but now has way more outlets open so the time is ripe to explore. Found on the first floor opposite the Dubai Ice Rink, it’s free to stroll around and is home to shops, restaurants, spas and more. O Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai. thedubaimall.com/ chinatown. Swim with the fish at The Green Planet Fascinated by sealife? The world’s largest freshwater cichlid aquarium opened this summer at The Green Planet at City Walk. Home to 2,000 vibrant African Cichlid fish of more than 30 species, the aquarium is the newest addition to the biodome’s exotic rainforest ecosystem. Want to get up close and personal? You can book a snorkelling experience for Dhs230. Want to spend the night near the fish? Yep, you can even camp at the indoor rainforest on weekends until September 29. Prices start from Dhs750 for two adults in a regular tent and children can join for Dhs200 per child. O City Walk, thegreenplanetdubai.com. Chinatown TO DXB_509_34-41_New Seasons Openings copy_12991647.indd 4024/08/2023 16:04NEW OPENINGS timeoutdubai.com September 2023 41 FAMILY FUN! 5 newcomers ideal for all the gang BURN OFF ENERGY AT NEON GALAXY It’s still pretty toasty outside, so head along to Neon Galaxy – an indoor ‘playworld’ at Dubai Parks and Resorts. Neon Galaxy is a multi-level playground. Designed for kids and tweens, there’s everything from ninja courses and slides to rope climbing and a wipe-out challenge. For toddlers there’s an Astro Arena with ball pits and more. O Dubai Parks & Resorts, Jebel Ali, dubaparksandresorts.com (800 262 9464). CHECK OUT AVATARA’S NEW KIDS’ DEGUSTATION MENU Mini gourmand on your hands? Top vegetarian Indian ne dining restaurant Avatara has just launched a brand-new degustation menu for kids. You heard that right. The 12-course, Dhs300 vegetarian tasting menu is aimed at children aged ve to ten years old. O voco Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, avatara.ae (058 143 2867). GET READY FOR WOOFSTOCK Family of festival-goers? Pup parents will be pleased to know that Woofstock Dubai has been con rmed for later this year. The paw-friendly fest will be taking place on Saturday November 18 at Dubai Islands Beach. During the al fresco event later this year, you can expect live music, food and drink stalls, market stalls and kids’ activities. O Dubai Islands Beach, @woofstockuae. HAVE FUN IN THE SUN AT TWIGGY FAMILY When only the pool will do, this is a top option. This summer Twiggy Family took over Al Porto Lagoon Beach at Park Hyatt Dubai and transformed it into a family-oriented beach club. With a temperature-controlled lagoon lined with cabanas and sunbeds, there’s also a dedicated play area, indoor and outdoor kids’ club activities, entertainment, classes and games. O Park Hyatt Dubai, Deira, @twiggyfamilydxb (04 602 1105). STROLL AT DUBAI ISLANDS BEACH Located along Dubai’s northern coastline around Deira’s waterfront, Dubai Islands Beach is free to access and dog-friendly. Plenty of cafés are due to open on the waterfront by the end of the year, too. O Deira Waterfront. NEW SEASON! For all the brilliant gigs and concerts coming up see page 56. TO DXB_509_34-41_New Seasons Openings copy_12991647.indd 4124/08/2023 16:04BABRBIECORE IN DUBAI 42 September 2023 timeoutdubai.com EL&N TO DXB_509_42-45_BarbieCore_12976631.indd 4224/08/2023 10:56BABRBIECORE IN DUBAI timeoutdubai.com September 2023 43 Hi I t’s a truth universally acknowledged that life in plastic is fantastic. Barbie is the woman of the moment due to Greta Gerwig’s Barbie lm. Barbiecore has in ltrated the zeitgeist, perhaps especially so as the lm was delayed in the UAE. So if you saw the lm and can’t get enough, this is where Barbie would hang out if she took a holiday from her Dreamhouse to visit Dubai… WHERE BARBIE WOULD EAT BLACK FLAMINGO With a tropical yet pink vibe, Black Flamingo is an explosion of colour and positive energy. We can see Tropical Splash Barbie in a oral dress tucking into the Hispanic-Creole menu at Palm West Beach. Aside from the fun interiors, the music is a drawcard, with DJs spinning a lively mix of Afro beats, hip-hop and pop music. O Radisson Beach Resort, Palm Jumeirah, black amingodxb.com (052 717 6464). BOUNTY BEETS If Barbie did breakfast and bubbly in Dubai, she would do it here. Le Méridien’s Bounty Beets is a dog-friendly café (with two branches) that serves gluten-free and vegan dishes along with creative mixed drinks. And with photo ops including old-fashioned phones and pink walls, it’s ripe for Insta shots. O Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, Garhoud and Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, bountybeets.com. EL&N London export EL&N was one of the city’s OG ‘pretty in pink’ cafés. Located in DIFC, the Instagram hotspot serves up dishes as cute as its interiors, with pink hot chocolates and waf es on the menu. With arti cial blooms, metallic baubles and great lighting, you best believe Barbie would hang out here. O Gate Village 2, DIFC, ae.elnlondon.com (050 246 7813). FLAMINGO ROOM BY TASHA’S Elegant and baby pink, Flamingo Room by tasha’s has drawn in the crowds since it opened and if Barbie was to visit Dubai, there’s no doubt she’d be one of them. Don’t miss the Black Forest tart, which comes adorned with gold-dusted cherries. O Jumeirah Al Naseem, Umm Suqeim, amingoroombytashas.com (04 244 7278). SAYA BRASSERIE Gold and pink. That’s the colour palette for SAYA Brasserie. With branches in City Walk, Dubai Hills, Nakheel Mall and Wasl 51, this cute café brand serves breakfast, starters, mains and desserts. If you’re looking for serious Barbiecore vibes, you should order the rose hummus, pancake uff and the afternoon tea tower. SAYA even does Barbie doll cakes if you’re celebrating a birthday. O City Walk, Dubai Hills, Nakheel Mall and Wasl 51, sayacafe.ae. SECRET GARDEN BY LÉTO This garden-esque café in Dubai Mall is a Barbiecore pit stop for when you’re mid- shopping spree. Conveniently located in Fashion Avenue (more on that later) the menu is designed with social media in mind. With gold akes on dishes and juices served in lightbulb-shaped glasses, Barbie would t right in here. O Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, letocaffe.ae (04 345 2209). THE TROVE Arty restaurant Trove in Dubai Mall has been decked out with a considerable amount of pink, so we reckon Barbie would love it. The menu is broad, spanning North and South American, pan-Asian and Middle-Eastern. O Ground oor, Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, troverestaurant.com (04 347 7444). Where to eat, shop and post for fabulously pink Barbiecore vibes in Dubai. By Sophia Dyer Barbie! TO DXB_509_42-45_BarbieCore_12976631.indd 4324/08/2023 10:57BABRBIECORE IN DUBAI 44 September 2023 timeoutdubai.com VIBE RESTAURANT AND BAR Promising pink food, funky pink interiors and cute mixed drinks, this licenced version of Vibe Café is where Barbie and the gang would meet for stylish sips. Make like Malibu Barbie by heading here for a pink burger and an ‘I’d rather be in Malibu’ mixed drink. O Gate Avenue, DIFC, vibeuae.com (04 333 6400). WHERE BARBIE WOULD HANG OUT FASHION AVENUE It’s a no-brainer that Barbie would shop at Fashion Avenue in Dubai Mall. Not only is it a throng of the world’s most exclusive shops, but it’s also aesthetically pleasing and chic. With butter ies suspended from the ceiling and some cute cafés, there are plenty of cool photo ops. Barbie geeks may even remember the 1990s ‘Fashion Avenue’ collection of clothes you could buy for your dolls. O Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, thedubaimall.com (04 362 7500). LEVEL SHOES Synonymous with her plastic (and easily lost under the sofa) shoe collection, Barbie would almost de nitely pass the time at Level Shoes. The shoe emporium in Dubai Mall stocks a number of high-end brands and features some truly gorgeous shoe displays so that even if you’re just window shopping, it’s still a fun experience. O Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, levelshoes.com. LADIES’ NIGHT AT ATTIKO The Shooting Star Ladies’ Night at Attiko is pink in hue (thanks to the lighting) and a really good deal. If Barbie is pocket savvy, she’ll be sipping free- owing drinks for three hours between 8pm and 11pm on Tuesday night. O Dhs120. Tue 8pm-11pm. W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina, theattiko.com (04 350 9983). ROLL DXB In her roller Barbie get-up, Barbie would t right in at Roll DXB. The ’80s-style roller skate arena hosts roller disco nights and ladies’ nights. Plus, much like the OG roller Barbie that came out in 1980, the skates you hire here are serious retro vibes. O From Dhs90 (per hour with skate hire). Marina Cubes, Dubai Maritime City, Port Rashid, rolldxb.com (04 238 6206). MERMAIDS OF ARABIA One for Shelly (or Chelsea as she was renamed in 2011), Barbie would most de nitely take her little sister to meet mermaids at Mermaids of Arabia. A magical experience, you can have a mermaid makeover and meet real mermaids swimming in a tank here. O From Dhs299. Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, mermaidsofarabia.com (052 509 5256). SAND DOLLAR Home-grown Dubai boutique Sand Dollar has just opened its very rst physical store and it’s giving serious Barbiecore. Located in Arjan, the shop stocks more than 100 beachy brands and even has an in-store coffee bar. With a wall decal reading, ‘the world is my runway’ Barbie would ll up her basket here. O La Fontana, Diamond Business Centre 1, Al Barsha South, sanddollardubai.com (04 551 6211) SAUCE BOUTIQUE Having launched in 2004, Sauce has stores in Bab Al Shams, Dubai EDITION, Four Seasons Dubai and W Dubai – The Palm. Selling a number of brands, the curated collection is made up of clothes, accessories and a small collection of (seriously cute) homeware. With unique nds that you won’t see on your average doll, you can make like Barbie and nd some real treasures here. O Various locations. shopatsauce.com. THE BRITISH SALON With Barbie’s hair never a strand out of place (unless you decided to hack at it with the scissors and create a ‘Weird Barbie’) we’re sure she’d be hitting up a salon while in Dubai. And seeing as The British Salon in JLT not only specialises in blonde hair (of all shades) but is also designed in Dreamhouse- style pink, it would probably be this one. O Goldcrest Views 1, Cluster V, JLT, @thebritishsalondubai (058 572 6839). ROLLER BARBIE Get retro skates At Roll DXB, you can purchase vintage (looking) skates. The venue stocks Moxi skates in various cute patterns including lepoard print and rainbow. O From Dhs750. Marina Cubes, Port Rashid, rolldxb.com. Roll DXB TO DXB_509_42-45_BarbieCore_12976631.indd 4424/08/2023 10:57BABRBIECORE IN DUBAI timeoutdubai.com September 2023 45 SAYA Brasserie TO DXB_509_42-45_BarbieCore_12976631.indd 4524/08/2023 16:05NEW DISHES 46 September 2023 timeoutdubai.com HOT PLATES 10 of the most exciting new dishes to try in Dubai right now. By Yousra Zaki Asia Asia’s Moriawase TO DXB_509_46-49_Hot Plates_12987490.indd 4624/08/2023 11:01NEW DISHES timeoutdubai.com September 2023 47 TO DXB_509_46-49_Hot Plates_12987490.indd 4724/08/2023 11:01NEW DISHES 48 September 2023 timeoutdubai.com From d3 to DIFC, JBR to JLT, there are always new dishes to try in the city. Created by the chefs at Dubai’s hottest restaurants, these are the ten dishes that you have to try (and post on the ’gram) this season. 3FILS’S UNA DON 2.0 This harbour-side restaurant recently launched a new chef’s table kaiseki experience where you can try a special dish dubbed the una don 2.0. Chef Jhovani Manalo created the plate, which includes Kyushu island unagi (eel) in a tasty and flavourful broth. The chef explains, “In a large clay pot, I place an umami-rich tare sauce, then carefully thread the unagi onto skewers taking it in turns to dip the unagi into the tare sauce before cooking on the traditional Japanese oak charcoal grill called Bitchotan. This process gradually forms multiple layers of rich caramelised coat over the eel.” Layers of juicy eel are complemented by garlic-infused rice, ume sesame, crispy garlic, tomato rock, wasabi, hari nori seaweed and tare sauce. O Part of the Dhs570 tasting menu. Open daily noon-11.30pm. Shop 2, Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, 3 ls.com (056 273 0030). AMAZÓNICO’S RAICES ROJAS There’s a really special new dessert at Amazónico that’s full of colour and flavour, without any of the sugar. Though sans sugar, the raices rojas is a sweet vegan dish made with naturally saccharine beetroot tapioca pearls and an added crunch of oats and red quinoa. This dessert created by pastry chef Elizabeth Mera, who thought that using sweet beetroot could make for an interesting flavour, without the guilt. The tapioca pearls are made from cassava root. This is native to Brazil and parts of the Andes in South America, and are cooked in beetroot juice, which gives them their rich purple colour and sweet flavour. Crowned with blackberries, coconut foam, and refreshing pear sorbet, this sugar-free creation is a tropical treat. O Dhs50. Open daily noon-3pm. DIFC Pavilion, DIFC, amazonicorestaurant.com/dubai (04 571 3999). ASIA ASIA’S MORIAWASE The latest menu addition at Asia Asia, the Moriawase, which translates to ‘combination platter’ in Japanese, was created by executive chef Robert Rathbone. Drawing inspiration from Tokyo’s diverse culinary landscape, this platter features a selection of delicious sushi creations. From buttery kama hamachi to refreshing yellowtail nigiri and the explosion of flavours in the vegan dynamite maki. O Dhs600. Open Mon 6pm-1am, Tue 6pm-2am, Wed-Thu 6pm- 1am, Fri 6pm-3am, Sat 2pm-5pm and 6pm-1am, Sun 2pm-1am. Pier 7, Dubai Marina Mall, asia- asia.com (04 4276 5900). CHEZ WAM’S HOKKAIDO SCALLOPS Chef Hadrien Villedieu’s Hokkaido scallops showcase the perfect fusion of Asian and French influences, highlighting the chef’s experience. Jerusalem artichokes are complemented by tonka beans, which lend a natural sweetness and an almond taste, while Villedieu’s lifelong love for anything pickled adds a harmonious balance to the dish. To elevate the experience, the chef adds a French-inspired butter foam, creating a velvety texture that completes the dish flawlessly. With a wealth of knowledge gained from his travels, this unique dish represents his culinary talent. O Dhs145. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-2am. St Regis Gardens Palm, Palm Jumeirah, chezwam.ae (04 410 6707). HOE LEE KOW’S REIF’S LUNCH BOX This dish, from chef Reif Othman, is all about nostalgia and childhood. The Hoe Lee Kow Reif lunch box gives you as the Mimi Kakushi’s unaju box eater, the chance to relive Othman’s playful journey to school. The chef explains, “When I was younger, my mum would carefully pack a very beautiful lunch for me with a mix of different ingredients. Me, being naughty and mischievous, was always running to catch my bus. When I would open up my lunch box during the break, my running would have caused all the food to get mixed up. So at Hoe Lee Kow, the dish comes to the table presented nicely, then the team mix it up and it looks just like my lunch.” The box includes kimchi fried rice, wagyu beef bulgogi, a shredded omelette and more. O Dhs138. Open Tue-Thu 6pm-11pm, Fri 6pm-midnight, Sat noon-midnight, Sun noon-11pm. Building 4, Dubai Hills Business Park, Dubai Hills, hoeleekow.com (04 255 5142). JUN’S’ BROWN BUTTER PRAWN SALSA MACHA The brown butter prawn salsa macha is inspired by chef Rick Bayless’, a legendary chef from Chicago, where Jun’s chef Kelvin Cheung grew up. Prawns are pan-roasted, Cantonese-style, in a tomato sauce that Cheung’s father served at his restaurant, finished with an Oaxacan salsa macha and served with flaky paratha. O Dhs145. Open Mon-Fri noon-3.30pm and 6pm- 2am, Sat-Sun noon-4.30pm and 6pm-2am. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, junsdubai.com (04 457 6035). OMAKASE DINING at Mimi Kakushi Japanese restaurant Mimi Kakushi offers an Omakase dining experience throughout the week where you can try four courses. O Dhs1,100. Mon-Fri 7pm-9pm. Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, mimikakushi.ae. TO DXB_509_46-49_Hot Plates_12987490.indd 4824/08/2023 11:02NEW DISHES timeoutdubai.com September 2023 49 MIMI KAKUSHI’S UNAJU BOX The new unaju box at Mimi Kakushi offers a twist on the traditional Japanese dish. Mimi’s chef Vladimir Kim has selected traditional ingredients for a not-so-traditional recipe. Presented in a specially made wooden box, the dish includes layered steamed rice, homemade pickled ginger cubes, and kinshi tamago (shredded egg crêpe). It’s then drizzled with unagi sauce and truffle oil. Crowned with grilled freshwater eel seasoned with sansho pepper powder and pickled arima sansho. This dish is made to be shared between two to three people. Typically this classic dish is presented in a plastic container in Japan, but at Mimi, expect nothing less than next- level bougieness. O Dhs390. Open Mon-Thu 6pm-2am, Fri-Sun noon-4pm and 6pm-2am. Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah 2, mimikakushi.ae (04 379 4811). MONNO’S ‘SPAGHETTI ALLA CHITARRA’ New to the menu at Monno this season is spaghetti alla chitarra – a spaghetti caviar dish dressed in an aromatic beurre blanc sauce with lemongrass and shallots, generously topped with Oscietra caviar. Head chef Federico Bartoli tells Time Out, “Our spaghetti caviar dish was inspired by the master of Italian cuisine, Gualtiero Marchesi who created the ‘spaghetti salad’ in 1985, comprising cold spaghetti with chives and caviar. We decided to bring this dish to Monno with a fresh touch, to offer something different and suited for summer. We infused lemongrass, tarragon and shallots with verjus to create an aromatic sour butter to glaze the homemade spaghetti. Then we simply top the dish with Oscietra Italian caviar.” O Dhs135. Open Sun-Thu noon-midnight, Fri-Sat noon- 1am. Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1, monno.ae (04 332 2255). MOTT 32’S BUDDHA JUMPS OVER THE WALL This dish is considered a Chinese delicacy for its rich taste and sheer number of ingredients (at least 30 of them). The quirky name is an allusion to the dish’s ability to entice vegetarian Buddhist monks from their temples to partake in the meat-based dish. Basically, it implies that even the strictest of veggies would try to jump over a wall to get to it. And it’s one of China’s state banquet dishes. The soup or stew features a lot of ingredients that take two full days to prepare. A typical recipe requires quail eggs, scallops, sea cucumber, abalone, fish maw, chicken and mushrooms as well as 12 condiments. Phew. O Dhs750. Open daily from 6pm-1am. Address Beach Resort, JBR, mott32dubai.com (04 278 4832) YUI RAMEN HOUSE’S HIYASHI CHUKA In the mood for something chilled? YUi’s newly appointed executive chef Toshiyuki Sakamoto has created a cold ramen salad called the hiyashi chuka. And it’s a refreshing way to get your slurp on without any hot broth. This dish combines thin noodles that are made fresh in-house daily using Japanese flour marinated in citrus ponzu-tare, served with prawns, a variety of crisp vegetables, and an atsu-yaki egg to offer a burst of flavour and nutrition. Chef Sakamoto says, “This ramen salad is a summer staple from where I’m from in Japan and is perfect for hot weather. We wanted to create a unique and refreshing dish for our ramen-loving guests to enjoy when it’s still warm out, and despite its name translating to ‘chilled Chinese’, it’s a purely Japanese creation.” O Dhs62. Open daily from noon-10.30pm. Dubai Design District, @yui_dxb (04 243 4217). Asia Asia’s Moriawase TO DXB_509_46-49_Hot Plates_12987490.indd 4924/08/2023 11:24Next >